My 3 year journey!

The year 2008 will be coming to a close in a few hours time. It's been almost 3 months since I have graduated and obtained my wings. Being part phlegmatic that I am, I've only finally mustered sufficient drive to put in this entry to close up this chapter of my life and start a new one.

Looking back at the time when I first submitted my application to the airforce, it's been 3+ years. So many things have happened since. I remember I was still an undergraduate at NUS, awaiting for my application to go through, wondering whether it would ever be in God's will for me to become a fighter pilot.

The journey through the selection, basic flying and the fighter training phase were challenging and trying periods for my love ones and I. I dare say that, these 3 years have been a very humbling and yet wonderful experience. Humbling, because never in my life thus far, have my weaknesses been so clearly revealed to me. Wonderful because through my weaknesses, the Lord has shown to me how Sovereign and great He is. The Lord has taught me total dependence and complete trust in Him through the following 3 particular phases, which I would like to share.

1) Medical

To keep it brief, I've always had sinus problems since young - stuffy nose in the morning and such. And I was afraid that I would not pass the aviation medical check for that reason. I prayed and God answered mightily. He not only cleared me through my medical check ups, but ever since, my sinus problem has never given me any problems during my flight training! How great a God is He!

2) Selection for fighters

10 months of basic flight training in Australia was to be the stage for fighter selection. This was a period where I truly learnt to humble myself and leave it all in God's sovereign hands. Only the best few trainees from this training would be selected to proceed on for fighter training. I prayed and pleaded to God daily and God answered by showing His power and sovereignty by granting me a slot in fighter training against all statistical odds! Can you imagine how elated and happy I was when I received that news! It was not by my hard work, diligence and ability that earned me my place in fighter training, but it was by God's grace and mighty hands that have done so! Praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness!

3) Completing fighter training

My one year in France have been the most trying time. This phase in particular was really an enligtening and humbling one as well. Never before have my weaknesses been so clearly revealed to me than this phase. There have been many times that I have envied my course mates because of their performance and ability. I've never ceased to pray and hope that the Lord would grant me better performance and ability. But somehow the Lord has sufficiently provided that which is sufficient, nothing more and nothing less. In doing so the Lord has taught me total dependence on Him as He leads, guides and provides sufficiently daily and each step of the way. God has strenghtened my faith and increase my dependence on Him. I thank God for His moulding, and His mercies and grace in leading and guiding me through this course every single step of the way.

I recount the many times even up till the last few flights of the course, where I didn't even dare dream that I would be able to graduate as a fighter pilot, I truly praise and thank the Lord for fulfilling that dream. Words are not enough to express the gratitude and praise that I have for the Lord God almighty! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!!

What Next?

The past 3 years were not easy but thanks be to God for His grace and mercies! As I begin my journey as a fighter pilot to defend my nation, I know the road ahead and journey that awaits me would be fraud with numerous and possibly overwhelming obstacles, difficulties and uncertainties. But one thing I am sure of, is that the Lord is sovereign, mightier and more powerful than whatever I would face! My trust and faith would be in God and God alone!

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." -Psa 18:30

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." -Psa 18:2

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." -Psa 118: 8-9

"For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible(to be revered and feared), which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" -Deu 10:17

p.s.

It is my ernest prayer that this testimony would be an encouragement to anyone reading it.

For those with like precious faith, be encouraged that you can commit and trust the Lord in anything, from the smallest of things to the biggest of problems. The Lord is able, mighty and sovereign!

For those of you who are non-Christians, I pray that this account of the Lord's goodness toward me would get you thinking about the only true and living God that I worship, the Lord Jesus Christ. And by God's grace, one day, you too would come to accept and believe in this true and living God!